History

History of Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds

The first recording in this office occurred June 14, 1805 although the actual date of the documents go back to the 1790s.

14 June 1805 – 4 July 1805
Cape Girardeau District, District of Louisiana, Territory of Indiana, United States of America

4 July 1805 – 4 June 1812
Cape Girardeau District, Territory of Louisiana, United States of America

4 June 1812 – 1 October 1812
Cape Girardeau District, Territory of Missouri, United States of America

1 October 1812 – 10 August 1821
Cape Girardeau County, Territory of Missouri, United States of America

10 August 1821 – Present
Cape Girardeau County, State of Missouri, United States of America

At that time land records were recorded with circuit clerks as ex-officio recorders. In 1906 the county court voted to separate the office of circuit clerk and recorder of deeds. Here is the entry in the record of the county court:

Monday, May 7th 1906, First day of the May Term.

Office of Circuit Clerk and )
Recorder of Deeds )
Divided by County Court )

Whereas the office of Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds is held by one officer in this County and it being the opinion of this court that said office should in justice to the public be divided as is provided in section 9079 Revised Statutes of Missouri 1899.
Therefore be it ordered by this Court that said office of Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds be separated and divided, creating a new officer to be known as the Recorder of Deeds in this County; that this order take effect after 31st day of December A.D. 1906, and not until then.

In 1984, the Recorders office moved from a small space in the Jackson Courthouse to the Administration building next door. With the limitation of space, some records are kept in the Archive Center across the street.

History of Recorders

The Deed Books and Missouri Blue Books served as the primary sources information.